Letang and Niskanen, each half of the Pittsburgh Penguins' top defensive pairing and each dealing with a lower-body injury, skated together at Consol Energy Center. Niskanen hasn't played since spraining his ankle on Jan. 27; Letang missed the team's weekend games against the New Jersey Devils.

Letang (three goals, six assists in 10 games) is eligible to return Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. Niskanen is more likely to sit out a bit longer—he was expected to miss 2-4 weeks at the time of his injury—but no word was available on either. Robert Bortuzzo and Dylan Reese have been playing in their absence.

Both players are offensive-minded but defensively responsible and drive possession at even-strength. Letang plays more (25:07 to 18:18) because he's on the Penguins' top power-play unit.

Positive news for #Pens is that Letang is not only out on ice but bouncing around with no apparent issues. #TribHKY